WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (Reuters) - U.S. trade officials formally notified the U.S. Congress on Monday of President Barack Obama's intention to negotiate a free trade deal with Vietnam, New Zealand and five other countries in the Asia Pacific area.
"On behalf of the president, I am pleased to notify Congress that the president intends to enter into negotiations of a regional, Asia-Pacific trade agreement known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership," U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said in a letter to congressional leaders.
(Reporting by Doug Palmer; Editing by Sandra Maler)